What is a Horoscope and How Do Astrologers Make Predictions?

In this post, we will find out what is a horoscope and how do astrologers make their predictions. Can we really foresee the future through astrology? If we read or look at our horoscope, it is because we hope to discover predictions about our future. This practice goes back to the use of the almanac, the most widely read book in rural 16th century Europe. Almanacs often included a calendar and numerous pieces of astrological information. In fact, the word ‘almanach’ originates from the Arab manach, which simply means calendar. It was in these almanacs that horoscopes first appeared. They were predictions for the near future (usually that year) for each of the twelve astrological signs.

However, this was probably the beginning of the misuse of the term ‘horoscope’ which is often ill-advisedly used when referring to astrological predictions. The word which comes from the Greek literally means: ‘to see, watch and record time’. This is what the astrologer does when calculating and plotting a sky chart or a birth chart, starting from a day, a month, a year, a precise and… an hour!

In other words, the term ‘horoscope’ should only be used when referring to a sky or birth chart which features the positions of the ascendant and the Houses, and these are impossible to calculate without knowing the time, place, and date of the birth chart.

From horoscope to horoscopes

How did we come to use the word ‘horoscopes’, usually in the plural, to talk about daily, weekly, monthly or yearly predictions?

The father of this incorrect type of horoscope was an American journalist and newspaper proprietor who asked an astrologer friend to write up daily predictions in his newspaper. This is how the first horoscope appeared, in 1936, in a New York weekly publication, the ‘Sunday Express’.

In reality, when you read ‘your horoscope’, you have to remember that there are twelve signs of the zodiac for more than seven billion people on the planet. Consequently, you are supposed to believe that one-twelfth of humanity – is covered by identical predictions. Does this mean that horoscopes, such as these are completely wrong?

No. But when writing them, any astrologer worthy of this name must be aware of the fact that, by doing so, he is following in the footsteps of the great tradition of collective predictions, which were at the origin of astrology. You have to understand that these predictions can only reflect a current or collective climate, which can indeed be revealed by the daily positions of the planets.

Under no circumstances should you consider that they indicate unavoidable circumstances, real and tangible facts which concern you personally and in which you have no part to play. With astrological predictions, it must be stressed that you should not be so interested in what is happening or is supposed to be happening to you: it is more what you make of the circumstances or events occurring in your life.

Astrology and numerology. What is the difference?

Astrology explains the influence of stars and planets on our lives. It explains the position of the planets and stars and tells us a lot about our character traits. Numerology is all about numbers and their meanings.

We can take both astrology and numerology as sciences. These “sciences” help us predict our future and make the right choice in this life.

Numerology explains the mystical connection between a number and one or more coincidences and the application of numbers in people’s lives. You should learn more about numerology and try to know yourself.

How are horoscopes drawn up?

To draw up a horoscope or birth chart you must begin with the zodiacal wheel. Take the birth sign of the subject and make the First House of your birth chart (the First House is below the horizontal line, working anticlockwise). Each of the following eleven Houses coincides with the zodiac, in the usual order. For instance, for a person born under the sign of Virgo, place the sign of Virgo in the First House.

The Second House will therefore be in the sign of Libra, the Third in the sign of Scorpio, and so on, going around the zodiac until we reach the Twelfth House, which will be situated in the sign of Leo. The next stage is to find the position of the ascendant, the Midheaven, and the positions or movements of the planets at the moment of birth. This is done by consulting charts called “Ephemerides”.

You will receive these together with full instructions on how to use them in future issues. Once the relevant points and planets are drawn onto the birth chart, you can begin to interpret the chart. Each House has a special meaning (see The Houses), and the position of a planet in such and such a House gives us specific information. The interpretation should be done in a certain order; you need to write down the influences and meanings of the positioning of the Sun, the Moon, the ruling planet, then the remaining planets in their proper order. Everything should be written down as you build these layers of information. You then need to draw in and interpret the aspects of the planets to each other. Throughout this interpretation, you need to look at general as well as specific trends and influences. From there you will learn to ‘progress’ the chart. This is just a brief outline of this fascinating and complex subject, which future issues will take you through step-by-step.